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@naar i, JOHN SPILMAN,

IMPROVED FLOATING WHEEL res vssssts.

*die .Srlgrlnrle narra tu in tlgretrittrs 33mm zint hinting aart at tige samt.

lO` ALL WHQM IT MAY CONCERN:

Bc it known that I, JOHN SPILMAN, 'o' Tonawanda, in the county of Erie, and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful improvement in Floating Wheels for Vessels; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawing, making pa'rt of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is'a view in elevation of my improvement attache Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the wheel.

Like letters designate corresponding parts in both figures.

My invention consists of an auxiliary wheel, designed toloat partiallyjmmersed in the water at a suitable distance behind the vessel, being connected thereto by a rod or'shaft for communicating motion to the mechand to a vessel in' the manner designed.

to rotatc'by the resistanceof the water when it is drawnrthrou'rrh it bythe motion of the vessel, or by the force of thecurrent when the vessel is stationary.y

As represented in the drawings, A is the wheel, and D a shaft connecting itwith the vessel,`which maybe constructed of a single rod, or coupled, as shown, or in any other suitable manner. ,C is a hollow cylinder, made water-tight, with the forward end d conical or` pointed, as shown, to lessen the resistance, at the apex of `which the shaft Bis attached. To this cylinder C is secured helical wings or arms E E,- forming a screw, which areattnched at their outer edges to the inner surface of a cylindrical case, f, open at both ends. The shaft B may enter the vessel at any convenient point at the side or stern, where it is provided with suitable bearing,

g, and gearing, L, or other mechanism for operating the pump.

My auxiliary wheel is more especially designed for working pumps on board of vessels employing only sails, where there is no other than manual power'on board for operating the pumps in thc event of the springing of a leak. As such accidents generally occur during astorm, my improvement becomes a matter of great importance, both to the safety of the lives on board, as well as of the vessel and cargo. Thewheel may be of sullcentsizc to operate several pumps at the same time, and, since they are usually required during a storm,

other purposes vthan for pumping, wit-l1 equal advantage. When not required for use, the shaft B ymay be uncoupledand the wheel hoisted on board. The cylinder C being hollow and containing air renders the device sufficiently buoyant to prevcntits sinking to an improper depth, although thegreatcr the depth the greater the resistance, and consequently the power of thc wheel.

What I claim as my invention, is i The partially submerged floating wheel A, consisting of the buoyant cylinder C, helical wing or wings E E, and case f,'for producing rotary motion by the resistance o f the water when moved in contact therewith, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. v Y l In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

" JOHN SPILMAN.

Witnesses:

J. A. DAVIS, Annsafr HArcnT. 

